Ok, More Delayed Blogging

After countless inquiries about how I’ve been doing running I am back to blogging. Ok, really just two - sorry Sarah and Mom!

Since my last update I have logged over 37 miles - that’s in one week’s time! This included the 18 miler last Saturday. 18 miles, I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that distance. And that’s knowing I’m still 8.2 miles shy of the marathon distance.

The 18 miler. Well, it all started at 3 am on Saturday. That’s what time I woke up to prep for the run. I left the house earlier than usual to drop off a water break bag. By 4 am we were off and running. We started with an easy 6 mile loop back to the gym. When we got back we picked up more company and headed out for the final 12. Nothing really exciting happened during our miles out. We did have two deer run out in the road in front of us in one of the sub-divisions we run through. We’re pretty sure one was a buck, which is unusual for me to see - I usually only come across does and fawns. That was cool. An advantage to running so early in the morning is how quiet everything is and all the wildlife I come across.

Our run time totaled 3:10:06 for the 18 miler. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good after we finished. My legs and feet were certainly hurting as we were nearing the finish, but it’s funny how 10-15 minutes later the pain subsides. I was a little sore on Sunday, but not as bad as I thought I would be.

This week has been a fairly easy week. This weekend will be a busy one. The annual Heartland Festival 5K is on Saturday. I have come to dislike 5Ks as I become a more experienced runner. For those who don’t know, a 5K is 3.1 miles. I do not enjoy the first few miles of a run. Yes, it’s true...there are parts of running I don’t enjoy. The joy I find in running is the overall experience. I have found, the further I go the more I love it! A 5K is too short. It’s an all out sprint for 3.1 miles. I have vomited more times from running a 5K than any other distance. So you ask, why am I running then? Well, I actually see it as a tradition. This 5K was the first one I ever ran 3 years ago and I feel like I have to keep that up. Plus, I’m planning on using it as my speedwork session for the week.

Although, I won’t be going that fast...because I will be doing my weekly long run the next morning. How long you ask? Well, 20 miles. That’s right, 20 miles the day after a 5K. I must be insane. I am still not sure why I want to punish myself like this, but I also look forward to the challenge. Besides, only 7 more weeks until the marathon.